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Lange LS, Chrysidou A, Liu P, Kuehn E. Tactile memory impairments in younger and older adults. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11766. [PMID: 38783038 PMCID: PMC11116509 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62683-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Human tactile memory allows us to remember and retrieve the multitude of somatosensory experiences we undergo in everyday life. An unsolved question is how tactile memory mechanisms change with increasing age. We here use the ability to remember fine-grained tactile patterns passively presented to the fingertip to investigate age-related changes in tactile memory performance. In experiment 1, we varied the degree of similarity between one learned and several new tactile patterns to test on age-related changes in the "uniqueness" of a stored tactile memory trace. In experiment 2, we varied the degree of stimulus completeness of both known and new tactile patterns to test on age-related changes in the weighting between known and novel tactile information. Results reveal that older adults show only weak impairments in both precision and bias of tactile memories, however, they show specific deficits in reaching peak performance > 85% in both experiments. In addition, both younger and older adults show a pattern completion bias for touch, indicating a higher weighting of known compared to new information. These results allow us to develop new models on how younger and older adults store and recall tactile experiences of the past, and how this influences their everyday behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilith-Sophie Lange
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anastasia Chrysidou
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peng Liu
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otfried-Müller Straße 23, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Straße 27, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Esther Kuehn
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otfried-Müller Straße 23, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Straße 27, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Suzuki T, Yashiro Y, Kikuchi I, Ishigami Y, Saito H, Matsuzawa I, Okada S, Mito M, Iwasaki S, Ma D, Zhao X, Asano K, Lin H, Kirino Y, Sakaguchi Y, Suzuki T. Complete chemical structures of human mitochondrial tRNAs. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4269. [PMID: 32859890 PMCID: PMC7455718 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18068-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria generate most cellular energy via oxidative phosphorylation. Twenty-two species of mitochondrial (mt-)tRNAs encoded in mtDNA translate essential subunits of the respiratory chain complexes. mt-tRNAs contain post-transcriptional modifications introduced by nuclear-encoded tRNA-modifying enzymes. They are required for deciphering genetic code accurately, as well as stabilizing tRNA. Loss of tRNA modifications frequently results in severe pathological consequences. Here, we perform a comprehensive analysis of post-transcriptional modifications of all human mt-tRNAs, including 14 previously-uncharacterized species. In total, we find 18 kinds of RNA modifications at 137 positions (8.7% in 1575 nucleobases) in 22 species of human mt-tRNAs. An up-to-date list of 34 genes responsible for mt-tRNA modifications are provided. We identify two genes required for queuosine (Q) formation in mt-tRNAs. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the decoding system and could help to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of human mitochondrial diseases caused by aberrant tRNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yuka Yashiro
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ittoku Kikuchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yuma Ishigami
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hironori Saito
- RNA System Biochemistry Laboratory, Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Ikuya Matsuzawa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shunpei Okada
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba, 278-0022, Japan
| | - Mari Mito
- RNA System Biochemistry Laboratory, Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- RNA System Biochemistry Laboratory, Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Xuewei Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kana Asano
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Huan Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, 570228, Haikou, Hainan, P.R. China
| | - Yohei Kirino
- Computational Medicine Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Yuriko Sakaguchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
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3
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Erp JBFV, Paul KI, Mioch T. Tactile Working Memory Capacity of Users Who Are Blind in an Electronic Travel Aid Application with a Vibration Belt. ACM TRANSACTIONS ON ACCESSIBLE COMPUTING 2020. [DOI: 10.1145/3372273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Electronic travel aids (ETAs) can increase the safety and comfort of pedestrians who have a visual impairment by displaying obstacles through a vibrotactile navigation belt. Building a complete picture of relevant obstacles and finding a safe route requires ETA users to integrate vibrotactile cues over time and space in their tactile working memory. Previous research suggests that the sense of touch exhibits a working memory that has characteristics similar to vision and audition. However, the capacity of the tactile working memory and the effects of secondary tasks are still under-researched. We investigated tactile working memory capacity of 14 adolescent participants who are blind in an immediate, whole report recall test. Participants received trials consisting of one to five vibration patterns presented sequentially at different locations on their torso representing obstacles with a direction (vibration location) and distance (vibration pattern). Recall performance was assessed under four conditions: baseline and with distracting background sounds and/or while walking with the long cane. Both walking and ignoring distracting sounds are relevant for everyday use of an ETA and were expected to decrease memory performance. We calculated the 75% correct scores for two memory performance measures: the number of items in a trial (numerosity), and item location and pattern correct. In the baseline condition, the scores were close to ceiling (i.e., 5 items). However, in the presence of distracting sounds and while walking, the scores were reduced to 3.2 items for numerosity and 1.6 items for location and identity correct. We recommend using 2 items as the maximum tactile working memory load in an applied setting unless users are trained and/or can adopt their strategy without unacceptable costs, such as reducing their walking speed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katja I. Paul
- University of Groningen and Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Jiang X, Wang Y, Li X, Wang L, Zhou YD, Wang H. A Simple and Compact MR-Compatible Electromagnetic Vibrotactile Stimulator. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1403. [PMID: 32009884 PMCID: PMC6978794 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a low-cost electromagnetic vibrotactile stimulator that uses the magnetic field of an MR scanner as a permanent magnet to power a vibrating motor. A simple variable current power supply is controlled by software using a USB data acquisition controller. In our study, the function of our novel stimulator was verified in a vibration frequency discrimination working memory task, in which various ranges of frequencies and amplitudes are delivered in MRI scanner. Furthermore, our functional MRI study revealed activations of the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices during the perception of tactile stimulation. Therefore, the new designed electromagnetic vibrotactile stimulator is capable of generating various frequencies of tactile stimuli and represents a powerful and useful tool for studying somatosensory functions with functional MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjian Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojin Li
- Department of Electronic Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Di Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE & STCSM), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Heller MA, Calcaterra JA, Green S, de Lima FJ. The Effect of Orientation on Braille Recognition in Persons who are Sighted and Blind. JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0145482x9909300704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morton A. Heller
- Department, Eastern Illinois University, 119 Physical Science Building, Charleston, IL 61920-3099
| | - Jeffrey A. Calcaterra
- Wright State University, Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 340502, Beavercreek, OH 45434
| | - Shavonda Green
- Appalachian State University, ASUBOX 15182, Boone, NC 28608
| | - Francisco Jose de Lima
- Laboratory of Perception and Psychophysics, Universidade de Sao Paulo at Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil, CEP 14040-901
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6
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Leo F, Tinti C, Chiesa S, Cavaglià R, Schmidt S, Cocchi E, Brayda L. Improving spatial working memory in blind and sighted youngsters using programmable tactile displays. SAGE Open Med 2018; 6:2050312118820028. [PMID: 30574309 PMCID: PMC6299321 DOI: 10.1177/2050312118820028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether training with tactile matrices displayed with a programmable tactile display improves recalling performance of spatial images in blind, low-vision and sighted youngsters. To code and understand the behavioral underpinnings of learning two-dimensional tactile dispositions, in terms of spontaneous exploration strategies. METHODS Three groups of blind, low-vision and sighted youngsters between 6 and 18 years old performed four training sessions with a weekly schedule in which they were asked to memorize single or double spatial layouts, featured as two-dimensional matrices. RESULTS Results showed that all groups of participants significantly improved their recall performance compared to the first session baseline in the single-matrix task. No statistical difference in performance between groups emerged in this task. Instead, the learning effect in visually impaired participants is reduced in the double-matrix task, whereas it is still robust in blindfolded sighted controls. We also coded tactile exploration strategies in both tasks and their correlation with performance. Sighted youngsters, in particular, favored a proprioceptive exploration strategy. Finally, performance in the double-matrix task negatively correlated with using one hand and positively correlated with a proprioceptive strategy. CONCLUSION The results of our study indicate that blind persons do not easily process two separate spatial layouts. However, rehabilitation programs promoting bi-manual and proprioceptive approaches to tactile exploration might help improve spatial abilities. Finally, programmable tactile displays are an effective way to make spatial and graphical configurations accessible to visually impaired youngsters and they can be profitably exploited in rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Leo
- Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences department, Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carla Tinti
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Chiesa
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberta Cavaglià
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Susanna Schmidt
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Cocchi
- Istituto David Chiossone per Ciechi e Ipovedenti Onlus, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Brayda
- Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences department, Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
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7
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de Borst AW, de Gelder B. Mental Imagery Follows Similar Cortical Reorganization as Perception: Intra-Modal and Cross-Modal Plasticity in Congenitally Blind. Cereb Cortex 2018; 29:2859-2875. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cortical plasticity in congenitally blind individuals leads to cross-modal activation of the visual cortex and may lead to superior perceptual processing in the intact sensory domains. Although mental imagery is often defined as a quasi-perceptual experience, it is unknown whether it follows similar cortical reorganization as perception in blind individuals. In this study, we show that auditory versus tactile perception evokes similar intra-modal discriminative patterns in congenitally blind compared with sighted participants. These results indicate that cortical plasticity following visual deprivation does not influence broad intra-modal organization of auditory and tactile perception as measured by our task. Furthermore, not only the blind, but also the sighted participants showed cross-modal discriminative patterns for perception modality in the visual cortex. During mental imagery, both groups showed similar decoding accuracies for imagery modality in the intra-modal primary sensory cortices. However, no cross-modal discriminative information for imagery modality was found in early visual cortex of blind participants, in contrast to the sighted participants. We did find evidence of cross-modal activation of higher visual areas in blind participants, including the representation of specific-imagined auditory features in visual area V4.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W de Borst
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
- Brain and Emotion Lab, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - B de Gelder
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
- Brain and Emotion Lab, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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8
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Heller MA, Kennedy JM, Clark A, Mccarthy M, Borgert A, Wemple L, Fulkerson E, Kaffel N, Duncan A, Riddle T. Viewpoint and Orientation Influence Picture Recognition in the Blind. Perception 2016; 35:1397-420. [PMID: 17214384 DOI: 10.1068/p5460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In the first three experiments, subjects felt solid geometrical forms and matched raised-line pictures to the objects. Performance was best in experiment 1 for top views, with shorter response latencies than for side views, front views, or 3-D views with foreshortening. In a second experiment with blind participants, matching accuracy was not significantly affected by prior visual experience, but speed advantages were found for top views, with 3-D views also yielding better matching accuracy than side views. There were no performance advantages for pictures of objects with a constant cross section in the vertical axis. The early-blind participants had lower performance for side and frontal views. The objects were rotated to oblique orientations in experiment 3. Early-blind subjects performed worse than the other subjects given object rotation. Visual experience with pictures of objects at many angles could facilitate identification at oblique orientations. In experiment 5 with blindfolded sighted subjects, tangible pictures were used as targets and as choices. The results yielded superior overall performance for 3-D views (mean, M = 74% correct) and much lower matching accuracy for top views as targets ( M = 58% correct). Performance was highest when the target and matching viewpoint were identical, but 3-D views ( M = 96% correct) were still far better than top views. The accuracy advantage of the top views also disappeared when more complex objects were tested in experiment 6. Alternative theoretical implications of the results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morton A Heller
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston 61920, USA.
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Hasegawa K, Sakurai T, Makino Y, Shinoda H. Character Reading via Stylus Reproducing Normal Handwriting Motion. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON HAPTICS 2016; 9:13-19. [PMID: 26766380 DOI: 10.1109/toh.2016.2517625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we report a method of intuitively transmitting symbolic information to untrained users via only their hands, without using any visual or auditory cues. In this simple concept, three-dimensional letter trajectories are presented to the user's hand via a stylus which is mechanically manipulated. In experiments, participants were able to read 14 mm-high lower-case letters displayed at a rate of one letter per second with an accuracy rate of 71.9 percent in their first trials, which improved to 91.3 percent after a 5-minute training period. These results showed small individual differences among participants (standard deviation of 12.7 percent in the first trials and 6.7 percent after training). We also found that this accuracy was still retained to a high level (85.1 percent, with SD of 8.2 percent) even when the letters were reduced to a height of 7 mm. Thus, we revealed that sighted adults potentially possess the ability to read small letters accurately at normal writing speed using their hands.
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10
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Hayek M, Dorfberger S, Karni A. Effective learning and retention of braille letter tactile discrimination skills in children with developmental dyslexia. Dev Sci 2015; 19:32-40. [PMID: 25754250 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Children with developmental dyslexia (DD) may differ from typical readers in aspects other than reading. The notion of a general deficit in the ability to acquire and retain procedural ('how to') knowledge as long-term procedural memory has been proposed. Here, we compared the ability of elementary school children, with and without reading difficulties (DD, typical readers), to improve their tactile discrimination with practice and tested the children's ability to retain the gains. Forty 10-11-year-olds practiced the tactile discrimination of four braille letters, presented as pairs, while blindfolded. In a trial, participants were asked to report whether the target stimuli were identical or different from each other. The structured training session consisted of six blocks of 16 trials each. Performance was re-tested at 24 hours and two weeks post-training. Both groups improved in speed and in accuracy. In session 1, children with DD started as significantly less accurate and were slower than the typical readers but showed rapid learning and successfully closed the gap. Only two children with DD failed to benefit from training and were not included in subsequent data analyses. At 24 hours post-training both groups showed effective retention of the gains in speed and accuracy. Importantly, children with DD were able to retain the gains in speed and accuracy, over a two-week interval as effectively as typical readers. Thus, children with DD were as effective in the acquisition and retention of tactile discrimination of braille letters as typical readers of the same age. The results do not support the notion of a general procedural learning disability in DD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisam Hayek
- E.J. Safra Brain Research Centre for the Study of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Special Education Department, Sakhnin Colege, Sakhnin, Israel
| | - Shoshi Dorfberger
- E.J. Safra Brain Research Centre for the Study of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Gordon College of Education, Haifa, Israel
| | - Avi Karni
- E.J. Safra Brain Research Centre for the Study of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,The Department of Human Biology & the Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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11
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Bauer C, Yazzolino L, Hirsch G, Cattaneo Z, Vecchi T, Merabet LB. Neural correlates associated with superior tactile symmetry perception in the early blind. Cortex 2014; 63:104-117. [PMID: 25243993 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Symmetry is an organizational principle that is ubiquitous throughout the visual world. However, this property can also be detected through non-visual modalities such as touch. The role of prior visual experience on detecting tactile patterns containing symmetry remains unclear. We compared the behavioral performance of early blind and sighted (blindfolded) controls on a tactile symmetry detection task. The tactile patterns used were similar in design and complexity as in previous visual perceptual studies. The neural correlates associated with this behavioral task were identified with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In line with growing evidence demonstrating enhanced tactile processing abilities in the blind, we found that early blind individuals showed significantly superior performance in detecting tactile symmetric patterns compared to sighted controls. Furthermore, comparing patterns of activation between these two groups identified common areas of activation (e.g. superior parietal cortex) but key differences also emerged. In particular, tactile symmetry detection in the early blind was also associated with activation that included peri-calcarine cortex, lateral occipital (LO), and middle temporal (MT) cortex, as well as inferior temporal and fusiform cortex. These results contribute to the growing evidence supporting superior behavioral abilities in the blind, and the neural correlates associated with crossmodal neuroplasticity following visual deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Bauer
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Harvard Medical School. 20 Staniford Street. Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lindsay Yazzolino
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Harvard Medical School. 20 Staniford Street. Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriella Hirsch
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Harvard Medical School. 20 Staniford Street. Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zaira Cattaneo
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1 - 20126, Milano, Italy.,Brain Connectivity Center, National Neurological Institute C. Mondino, Via Mondino 2, Pavia, Italy
| | - Tomaso Vecchi
- Brain Connectivity Center, National Neurological Institute C. Mondino, Via Mondino 2, Pavia, Italy.,. Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta, 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lotfi B Merabet
- Laboratory for Visual Neuroplasticity. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Harvard Medical School. 20 Staniford Street. Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Haptic spatial configuration learning in deaf and hearing individuals. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61336. [PMID: 23593465 PMCID: PMC3623816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated haptic spatial configuration learning in deaf individuals, hearing sign language interpreters and hearing controls. In three trials, participants had to match ten shapes haptically to the cut-outs in a board as fast as possible. Deaf and hearing sign language users outperformed the hearing controls. A similar difference was observed for a rotated version of the board. The groups did not differ, however, on a free relocation trial. Though a significant sign language experience advantage was observed, comparison to results from a previous study testing the same task in a group of blind individuals showed it to be smaller than the advantage observed for the blind group. These results are discussed in terms of how sign language experience and sensory deprivation benefit haptic spatial configuration processing.
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Jehoel S, Sowden PT, Ungar S, Sterr A. Tactile elevation perception in blind and sighted participants and its implications for tactile map creation. HUMAN FACTORS 2009; 51:208-223. [PMID: 19653484 DOI: 10.1177/0018720809334918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our goal was to determine the optimal elevation of tactile map symbols. BACKGROUND Tactile perception research predicts that symbol elevation (vertical height) and texture on tactile maps could influence their readability. However, although research has shown that elevation influences detection and discrimination thresholds for single tactile stimuli and that the physiological response of fingertip receptors varies with texture, little is known about the influence of these parameters on the identification of stimuli in the context of multiple symbols as found on tactile maps. METHOD Sighted and visually impaired participants performed tactile symbol identification tasks. In Experiment 1, we measured the effect of elevation on identification accuracy. In Experiment 2, we measured the effect of elevation and symbol texture on identification speed. RESULTS Symbol elevation influenced both speed and accuracy of identification; thresholds were higher than those found in work on detection and discrimination but lower than on existing tactile maps. Furthermore, as predicted from existing knowledge of tactile perception, rough features were identified more quickly than smooth ones. Finally, visually impaired participants performed better than sighted ones. CONCLUSION The symbol elevations necessary for identification (0.040 to 0.080 mm) are considerably lower than would be expected on the basis of existing tactile maps (generally 0.5 mm or higher) and design guidelines (0.4 mm). APPLICATION Tactile map production costs could be reduced and map durability increased by reducing symbol elevation. Furthermore, legibility of maps could be improved by using rough features, which are read more easily, and smaller symbols, which reduce crowding of graphics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Jehoel
- Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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Serino A, Giovagnoli G, de Vignemont F, Haggard P. Spatial organisation in passive tactile perception: is there a tactile field? Acta Psychol (Amst) 2008; 128:355-60. [PMID: 18486929 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2008.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2007] [Revised: 03/13/2008] [Accepted: 03/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The perceptual field is a cardinal concept of sensory psychology. 'Field' refers to a representation in which perceptual contents have spatial properties and relations which derive from the spatial properties and relations of corresponding stimuli. It is a matter of debate whether a perceptual field exists in touch analogous to the visual field. To study this issue, we investigated whether tactile stimuli on the palm can be perceived as complex stimulus patterns, according to basic spatial principles. Subjects judged the intensity of a target stimulus to the palm, ignoring two brief preceding touches at nearby flanker locations. We found that the judgements of the target intensity were boosted by flankers when the target lay on the line joining the flankers in comparison to when the target lay away from this line. Therefore, we suggest that a tactile spatial organisation, i.e. a tactile field, exists; the field supports the relation of collinearity; it is automatically and implicitly activated by touch, and it groups spatially coherent perceptual contents.
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Postma A, Zuidhoek S, Noordzij ML, Kappers AML. Differences between early-blind, late-blind, and blindfolded-sighted people in haptic spatial-configuration learning and resulting memory traces. Perception 2008; 36:1253-65. [PMID: 17972487 DOI: 10.1068/p5441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The roles of visual and haptic experience in different aspects of haptic processing of objects in peripersonal space are examined. In three trials, early-blind, late-blind, and blindfolded-sighted individuals had to match ten shapes haptically to the cut-outs in a board as fast as possible. Both blind groups were much faster than the sighted in all three trials. All three groups improved considerably from trial to trial. In particular, the sighted group showed a strong improvement from the first to the second trial. While superiority of the blind remained for speeded matching after rotation of the stimulus frame, coordinate positional-memory scores in a non-speeded free-recall trial showed no significant differences between the groups. Moreover, when assessed with a verbal response, categorical spatial-memory appeared strongest in the late-blind group. The role of haptic and visual experience thus appears to depend on the task aspect tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Postma
- Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Short term memory for tactile stimuli. Brain Res 2007; 1190:132-42. [PMID: 18083147 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2007] [Revised: 11/05/2007] [Accepted: 11/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Research has shown that unreported information stored in rapidly decaying visual representations may be accessed more accurately using partial report than using full report procedures (e.g., [Sperling, G., 1960. The information available in brief visual presentations. Psychological Monographs, 74, 1-29.]). In the 3 experiments reported here, we investigated whether unreported information regarding the actual number of tactile stimuli presented in parallel across the body surface can be accessed using a partial report procedure. In Experiment 1, participants had to report the total number of stimuli in a tactile display composed of up to 6 stimuli presented across their body (numerosity task), or else to detect whether or not a tactile stimulus had previously been presented in a position indicated by a visual probe given at a variable delay after offset of a tactile display (i.e., partial report). The results showed that participants correctly reported up to 3 stimuli in the numerosity judgment task, but their performance was significantly better than chance when up to 5 stimuli were presented in the partial report task. This result shows that short-lasting tactile representations can be accessed using partial report procedures similar to those used previously in visual studies. Experiment 2 showed that the duration of these representations (or the time available to consciously access them) depends on the number of stimuli presented in the display (the greater the number of stimuli that are presented, the faster their representation decays). Finally, the results of a third experiment showed that the differences in performance between the numerosity judgment and partial report tasks could not be explained solely in terms of any difference in task difficulty.
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Fleming P, Ball LJ, Ormerod TC, Collins AF. Analogue versus propositional representation in congenitally blind individuals. Psychon Bull Rev 2006; 13:1049-55. [PMID: 17484434 DOI: 10.3758/bf03213924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Congenitally blind individuals are generally less accurate at mentally manipulating objects than sighted people. However, they often score higher on tests of short- and long-term verbal memory, and it has been suggested that an enhanced propositional representation compensates for inefficiencies in analogue visuospatial representation. Here, congenitally blind, blindfolded, and sighted participants recalled descriptions of relative object locations. In contrast to previous findings, the congenitally blind participants were as accurate as the blindfolded and sighted individuals at remembering the relative locations of objects, but their memory for the verbatim structure of presented descriptions was worse. We propose that, like sighted people, the congenitally blind spontaneously construct and remember analogue representations of object locations and that the performance discrepancies of the blind arise from the process of managing and manipulating these analogue representations.
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Gentaz E, Hatwell Y. The haptic oblique effect in the perception of rod orientation by blind adults. PERCEPTION & PSYCHOPHYSICS 1998; 60:157-67. [PMID: 9503919 DOI: 10.3758/bf03211925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The haptic perception of vertical, horizontal, +45 degrees oblique, and +135 degrees oblique orientations was studied in completely blind adults. The purpose was to determine whether the variations of the gravitational cues provided by the arm-hand system during scanning would affect the manifestation of the oblique effect (lower performance in oblique orientations than in vertical-horizontal ones) as they did in blindfolded sighted people (Gentaz & Hatwell, 1996). In blindfolded sighted adults, the oblique effect was reduced or absent when the magnitude of gravitational cues was decreased. If visual experience participated in the haptic oblique effect, we should observe no oblique effect in early blind subjects in the conditions of manual exploration where late blind and blindfolded sighted manifest this effect. The magnitude of gravitational cues was therefore varied by changing gravity constraints, whereas the variability of these cues was varied by changing the plane in which the task was performed: horizontal (low variability) and frontal (high variability). Early and late blind adults were asked to explore haptically a rod and then to reproduce its orientation ipsilaterally in one of two exploratory conditions in each plane. In the horizontal plane, the oblique effect was absent, whatever the gravity constraints, in both groups (early and late blind subjects). In the frontal plane, the oblique effect was present, whatever the gravity constraints, in both groups. Taken together, these results showed that, in blind people, the variability of gravitational cues played a role in the haptic oblique effect; no effect of previous visual experience was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gentaz
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Expérimentale, Université Pierre Mendès France, Grenoble, France.
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20
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Heller MA, Calcaterra JA, Burson LL, Green SL. The tactual horizontal-vertical illusion depends on radial motion of the entire arm. PERCEPTION & PSYCHOPHYSICS 1997; 59:1297-311. [PMID: 9401462 DOI: 10.3758/bf03214215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We sought to clarify the causes of the tactual horizontal-vertical illusion, where vertical lines are overestimated as compared with horizontals in L and inverted-T figures. Experiment 1 did not use L or inverted-T figures, but examined continuous or bisected horizontal and vertical lines. It was expected that bisected lines would be perceived as shorter than continuous lines, as in the inverted-T figure in the horizontal-vertical illusion. Experiment 1 showed that the illusion could not be explained solely by bisection, since illusory effects were similar for continuous and bisected vertical and horizontal lines. Experiments 2 and 3 showed that the illusory effects were dependent upon stimulus size and scanning strategy. Overestimation of the vertical was minimal or absent for the smallest patterns, where it was proposed that stimuli were explored by finger movement, with flexion at the wrist. Larger stimuli induce whole-arm motions, and illusory effects were found in conditions requiring radial arm motion. The illusion was weakened or eliminated in Experiment 4 when subjects were forced to examine stimuli with finger-and-hand motion alone, that is, their elbows were kept down on the table surface, and they were prevented from making radial arm motions. Whole-arm motion damaged performance and induced perceptual error. The experiments support the hypothesis that overestimation of the vertical in the tactual horizontal-vertical illusion derives from radial scanning by the entire arm.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Heller
- Department of Psychology, Winston-Salem State University, NC 27110, USA
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Roberts RD, Stankov L, Pallier G, Dolph B. Charting the cognitive sphere: Tactile-kinesthetic performance within the structure of intelligence. INTELLIGENCE 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0160-2896(97)90048-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Gaunet F, Martinez JL, Thinus-Blanc C. Early-blind subjects' spatial representation of manipulatory space: exploratory strategies and reaction to change. Perception 1997; 26:345-66. [PMID: 9282231 DOI: 10.1068/p260345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study was aimed at analysing the effects of a lack of visual experience in human subjects on the detection and identification of a spatial change brought about to a configuration of objects displayed in manipulatory space. Exploratory patterns and performance levels were recorded. Learning effects were observed in different types of change and condition of presentation only in the early-blind and blindfolded sighted groups, but not in the late-blind group. Early blindness affected both exploratory patterns and performance levels. In addition, significant correlations were found between performance level and the use of systematic patterns of exploration. These data are discussed in relation with the importance of early vision during the development of spatial cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gaunet
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences Cognitives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France.
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Heller MA. Influence of visual guidance on braille recognition: low lighting also helps touch. PERCEPTION & PSYCHOPHYSICS 1993; 54:675-81. [PMID: 8290336 DOI: 10.3758/bf03211791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
This study was an attempt to clarify the mechanisms responsible for the benefits of visual guidance in tactual braille recognition. Subjects touched +90 degrees tilted braille under normal room lighting, or with low lighting, with or without visual guidance. Both visual information about finger angle and spatial reference information were manipulated with stained glass and light-emitting diodes. The provision of visual information about finger angle alone was no help to braille recognition, and performance was low. Adding visual spatial reference information to vision of finger angle raised performance. However, recognition accuracy was also substantially improved by low lighting. The benefits of darkness for haptics did not generalize to the reading of upright, two-letter braille words. It was proposed that extraneous visual information may distract sighted subjects in haptic tasks that require mental rotation of visual images.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Heller
- Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina 27110
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Heller MA. The effect of orientation on tactual braille recognition: optimal touching positions. PERCEPTION & PSYCHOPHYSICS 1992; 51:549-56. [PMID: 1620567 DOI: 10.3758/bf03211652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Subjects in five experiments matched tangible braille against a visible matching code. In Experiment 1, braille recognition suffered when entire lines of braille characters were tilted in varying amounts from the upright. Experiment 2 showed that tilt lowered performance for tangible, large embossed letters, as well as for braille. However, recognition was better for print letters than it was for braille. In Experiment 3, subjects attempted to match the upright array against embossed braille that was left/right reversed, inverted up/down, or rotated +180 degrees. Performance was close to that for normal braille in the left/right reversal condition, and very low for the +180 degrees rotation group. These results on braille tilt in the "picture plane" may reflect difficulty in manipulating the tangible "image." Braille recognition performance was not lowered when the visible matching array was tilted -45 degrees or -90 degrees from the upright but the tangible stimuli were upright. In Experiment 4, recognition of left/right reversed braille that was physically horizontal (on the bottom of a shelf) was compared with that of braille left/right reversed due to its location on the back of a panel, in the vertical plane. Braille recognition accuracy was higher with braille located vertically. An additional experiment showed the beneficial effect of locating braille in the vertical, frontoparallel plane, obtained with +90 degree rotated braille. It is proposed that optimal tactual performance with tangible arrays might depend on touching position, and on the physical position of stimuli in space. Just as there are good and poor viewing positions, there may be optimal touching positions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Heller
- Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina
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Heller MA, Kennedy JM. Perspective taking, pictures, and the blind. PERCEPTION & PSYCHOPHYSICS 1990; 48:459-66. [PMID: 2247329 DOI: 10.3758/bf03211590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Congenitally blind, late blind, and blindfolded sighted controls attempted a Piagetian perspective-taking (three-mountain) task. Piaget used the term perspective to mean point of view (Piaget & Inhelder, 1967, p. 210), and the present usage does not imply linear perspective. Subjects used raised-line drawings to depict alternative points of view of an array of three geometric solid forms (cube, cone, and ball). They then identified the point of view of raised-line drawings. The effect of visual status on accuracy was nonsignificant for both response measures. Using alternating vision of the array and drawings, sighted subjects in a control condition performed like the congenitally blind. However, congenitally blind individuals did require more time than the other subjects for the perspective-taking task. In an additional experiment, no difference was found between the three groups in the accuracy or speed of tactile shape matching. The results suggest that visual imagery and visual experience are not necessary for tactile perspective taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Heller
- Winston-Salem State University, NC 27110
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Heller MA. Picture and pattern perception in the sighted and the blind: the advantage of the late blind. Perception 1989; 18:379-89. [PMID: 2798020 DOI: 10.1068/p180379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Two experiments are reported on the contribution of visual experience to tactile perception. In the first experiment, sighted, congenitally blind, and late blind individuals made tactual matches to tangible embossed shapes. In the second experiment, the same subjects attempted tactile identification of raised-line drawings. The three groups did not differ in the accuracy of shape matching, but both groups of blind subjects were much faster than the sighted. Late blind observers were far better than the sighted or congenitally blind at tactile picture identification. Four of the twelve pictures were correctly identified by most of the late blind subjects. The sighted and congenitally blind performed at comparable levels in picture naming. There was no evidence that visual experience alone aided the sighted in the tactile task under investigation, since they performed no better than did the early blind. The superiority of the late blind suggests that visual exposure to drawings and the rules of pictorial representation may help tactile picture identification when combined with a history of tactual experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Heller
- Department of Psychology, Winston-Salem State University, NC 27110
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